Society’s Failure: Like Betta Edu, Like Yahaya Bello -By Richard Odusanya

Let’s begin with the profound words of Bishop Mathew Kukah, Convener of the National Peace Committee. Bishop Kukah expressed his disappointment with the performance of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, stating that the ex-governor has been a “poor advertisement” for what young people can achieve. Mathew Kukah eloquently posited: “I feel very sad because Kogi has been on the front burner and Yahaya Bello, the governor, prided himself on being the youngest governor and being a representation of what the youths of this country can do if they are given the opportunity,”

Sadly, Bishop Kukah continued: “I think he’s been a very poor advertisement for what young people can do.” The big question is, have we failed as a Society? Are the same youths’ examples of Betta Edu-gate and the criminalities of the likes of Yahaya Bello a good omen?

Yahaya Adoza Bello; born 18 June 1975, was a politician who served as the governor of Kogi State from 2016 to 2024. Bello was the youngest governor in Nigeria throughout his term in office. His political career began with a loss to Abubakar Audu in the APC gubernatorial primary in 2015. Audu won the election, but died on election day; Bello was selected to replace him as party nominee and was sworn in the following year.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently dragged former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja for alleged N84billion money laundering offenses, alongside his nephew Ali Bello, Dauda Sulaiman and Abdulsalam Hudu. The EFCC had previously seized the $760,910.84 that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State paid to American International School, Abuja, as prepaid school fees for four children until graduation, over alleged money laundering.

It is difficult to definitively say what the biggest failure in modern society is, as different people can perceive it differently. When you consider what society has experienced in recent years, particularly in our beloved country Nigeria, it can feel like we are spinning in circles – exhausting ourselves on a hamster wheel continuing to desperately do what we’ve always done and believe what we’ve always believed.

Some of our greatest challenges are those we are capable of overcoming, and yet within our current structures and systems, we find ourselves falling short. For example, in a system that allows Diezani Alison-Madueke to plunder and get away with billions of dollars, former Accountant General of the Federal Idris Ahmed stole over #100 billion public fund; why would the younger elements ‘Like Betta Edu, Like Yahaya Bello’ be different?

In this vein, there is a sense of empirically nauseating feeling of general public profligacy and corruption of etiquette – given the pitiable situations and as Nigeria languishes in debt laced with unending economic crisis, it would have been expected that the state governors would cut their coat according to the cloth but the reverse has been the case as some of the state chief executives have been leading a profligate lifestyle.

This is a clear indication of profligacy, recklessness and corrupt tendencies of Yahaya Bello who pride himself as the youngest governor, is appalling to say the least. As it stands today, Yahaya Bello is a fugitive of the law, and a sufficiently criminal minded person.

In conclusion, this is the time to demand for accountability from public office holders. It is not enough to work only on setting up democratic institutions and processes. These institutions and processes must be put to work creating opportunities for citizens to lead healthy and productive lives. Ensuring that government actually works for the public good requires informed, organized, active and peaceful citizen participation. Citizens must, therefore, understand ideas about citizenship, politics and government.

Finally, it is, a thing of joy that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on ex-governor Yahaya Bello, to follow the path of decency and submit himself for probe. A G Fagbemi profoundly posited: “I state unequivocally that I stand for the rule of law and will promptly call EFCC and indeed any other agency to order when there is indication of any transgression of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian by any of the agencies but I also tenaciously hold the view that institutions of State should be allowed to function effectively and efficiently. Nigeria has a vibrant judicial system that is capable of protecting everyone who follows the rule of law in seeking protection.” The likes of Yahaya Bello’ Betta Edu and many others should be an example of zero tolerance for corruption of President Bola Tinubu’s era.

Richard Odusanya
odusanyagold@gmail.com